I also do not have photos and only started going to Kruger in 2002, 2003. Geez, years wasted... But I would like to share this story that is in the book "Prime Origins Guide to Exploring Kruger" by Brett Hilton-Barber & Professor Lee R Berger, which I found humerous when I read it.

Lion Encounter

Being drunk in the bush is an invatation to danger. However, to every rule there is an exception. In Wild Life in South Africa, James Stevenson-Hamilton recounted the experience of a ranger called Sakubona in the early days of Kruger's history. Late one night an inebriated Sakubona returned home from a party at a nearby kraal when he literally walked into a lion along a narrow bushpath.

"According to his own account, he felt indignant, and after inquiring of the lion what it meant by blocking his road in this manner, poked it on the nose with his stick, on which it growled, bit him in the leg , and then ran away." The next morning a ranger examined the footprints and tracks and confirmed there had been some sort of incident involving man and lion.

"Of course no-one, not even Sakubona himself," wrote Stevenson-Hamilton "Knows what exactly did happen but he assuredly did have a single-handed and unarmed encounter with a lion in the dark, and came off best. Personally, I think had he been sober the result might have been unfortunate for him, but he was in just that condition when it is impossible to know fear. He had arrived at just that stage of spiritual elevation when a man feels there is nothing in the world of which he is not capable. Also of course, there are lions and lions!"

When the Park opened to tourism Sakubona supplemented his income as a gate guard by rolling up his trousers and showing his scars to tourists for a small fee.

The next is of Satara camp. Few people know that the camp originated where the D circle is now - right on the far edge of the camp. The first taken in 1933 of shop/ dining hall and reception. Second taken in same place recently - only identifiable using the trees. Here we see the relative slow growth of Marulas (nearly eighty years difference) and these have been protected from elephants for many years.

Next is one of Shingwedzi and taken in circle A, being the first series of huts in this camp. The old hartebeest style huts have been kept intact although the interior has been upgraded. Like the others, this could be found using the trees, in this case the Mopani's and specifically the two slanted ons on the right. Note how vehicles were parked on the inside of the circle and also note the tiny impala lilies (ademium multiflorum) in the older photo's. These have now grown into huge mature plants which have become an attraction of this camp. In the wild they are stunted due to feeding by antelope, but being in a protected environment such as this, they are able to grow beautifully.

You requested a picture of the old well known Acacia Tortillis that once was a main feature near Satara Restaurant (old one). I enclose two, one an aerial shot (1948) showing the tree on the left of the image just behind the ridge of the building on the left. The second taken later (50's or 60's) shows the actual tree in ita mature phase with branches being supported and the expansive shaded area used by many a visitor from the start of the camp (late 1920's) until it eventually succumbed in the late 70's.

Thanks for query. Keeping in mind that with the exception of Pretoriuskop, all other camps closed during the summer months, tents were provided during the winter season in most camps. Provided were beds (steel) mattreses, table and chairs and basin for washing. No they were not permanent like the safari tents.

Your question on camps opening all year relates. This was rather progressive and started in the south and gradually crept northwards. Is essence there were various deciding factors, namely roads and also supply of electricity from main grid (Eskom). Anyway, last camps to open were Punda and Shingwedzi and that was in the summer of 1977.

Many thanks for sharing your great pic with your grandma. It looks to me like the old huts in Pretoriuskop, which are still in use. They are often referred to as the Moerdijk circle (named after the architect) who designed them. It would make a nice "then and now". Would it be possible to send me an image of higher resolution to joep.stevens@sanparks.org to add to the archive we have in SANParks. If you agree, please send me all the details you can, including your grandma's names and also anything else, such as name of photographer and date taken (which I know you said you don't have) - perhaps an estimate?

I am going to share some pics kindly donated by Craig Holmes taken by his father Cecil Holmes in the 1950's. These are some of the best quality pictures I have in the KNP archive and I will place them a few at a time. First one of the old Malelane Gate, which is where the current little Malelane Rest camp still is today.

Next if of Craig as a little boy at the "stables" in Lower Sabie. These still exist and were the first accommodation units developed in the 1930's.

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